KABUL, Afghanistan - College students from throughout Afghanistan met at International Security Assistance Force Headquarters to attend a conference sponsored by the Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales, June 11.
AIESEC is the world's largest student organization and has worked with ISAF in Afghanistan for the past three years.
The conference provided an opportunity for the young men and women of AIESEC to discuss their contribution to security in Afghanistan and the perception of ISAF and NATO throughout the country. Conference speakers included Afghanistan's Minister of Education, Minister Farouq Wardak, Minister of Women's Affairs, Minister Hussan Ghazanfar, the Chancellor of Kabul University Professor Hamidullah Amin and ISAF spokesman Brig. Gen. Richard Blanchette.
"This successful event has helped provide the future leaders of Afghanistan with a platform to voice their opinions," said Blanchette. "In a country where 65 percent of the people are under 25, education is vital in providing a basis for the reconstruction and redevelopment of this country."
AIESEC Afghanistan president Hamid Mohmand said the event had an "outstanding and long-lasting" impact on all the students. "The conference has been very positive for all students. They have been especially motivated through the presence of the Afghan ministers. Meeting and questioning these ministers has contributed to the higher education of all these students, and also furthered the opportunity to achieve peace and fulfilment in Afghanistan," he said.
The students were not the only ones getting information from the conference. They provided feedback to ISAF officials that will help pave the way for a brighter future in Afghanistan.